Page 13 - Work Force April 2026

Western Region activists complete
‘Officers Boot Camp’
BUFFALO — CSEA Western Region
leaders and activists recently
gathered for our union’s Region 6
Winter Conference, which focused
on leadership development, member
engagement and strengthening our
union.
Local and unit officers from
throughout the region’s 14 counties
came together for a
weekend of leadership
training during what
organizers called an
“officers boot camp,”
a conference theme
developed by Western
Region 6 leadership to
strengthen the skills
officers use every day
to advocate for and
support members.
Western Region 6
President Steve Healy
welcomed attendees
and emphasized the importance of
staying engaged and informed.
“This conference is about making
sure our leaders have the tools they
need to support our members,”
said Healy. “When our officers are
educated and connected, our union
is stronger.”
Also joining the conference were
CSEA Executive Vice President
“This conference
is about making
sure our leaders
have the tools they
need to support
our members.
When our officers
are educated and
connected, our
union is stronger.”
Richard Bebo, Statewide Secretary
Stacey Baldwin Deyo and Statewide
Treasurer Nicole Meeks.
Officers participated in
workshops designed to strengthen
the day-to-day work of union
leadership. Sessions included
Grievance Writing 101, Grievance
vs. Improper Practice, Conflict
Management
and Resolution,
Communicating
Digitally and Assessing
the Leader in You.
The sessions sparked
active discussion
among attendees, with
leaders sharing real-
world experiences and
strategies they can
bring back to their
locals and units.
The conference also
offered opportunities
for officers to connect with one
another, exchange experiences
and build relationships with fellow
leaders across the region.
Leaders also discussed ways to
strengthen member engagement and
encourage participation in union
activities.
A plenary session on Blitzing
and Mobilizing highlighted the
importance of member engagement
and outreach. During the session,
presenters from the CSEA
Membership Department shared
strategies leaders can use to connect
with members in their workplaces,
encourage participation and
strengthen union visibility.
The session sparked
conversations among attendees
about creative ways locals and
units can reach members and build
stronger connections across their
worksites.
Representatives from CSEA’s
Member Benefits Department and
other union vendors were also on
hand to speak with attendees about
programs and services available to
members.
Leaders left the conference with
new ideas, strengthened skills and
renewed energy to bring back to
their locals and units across the
region.
— Sara McNicholas
From left, Monroe County Local
Treasurer Debra Ake and Monroe
County Local President Michael
Irving attend Grievance Writing 101
session.
From left, Roswell Park Memorial
Institute Local 1st Vice President
Amanda Bond and Erie County
Social Services Section Executive
Vice President Sandra Suy.
Cottrell is February PEOPLE recruiter of the month
Executive Vice President
Richard Bebo
Statewide Treasurer
Nicole Meeks and
Western Region
President Steve Healy
SYRACUSE —
Ali Cottrell
of the SUNY
Upstate Medical
Hospital Local
in the Central
Region is the
PEOPLE Recruiter
of the Month
for February,
Cottrell
recruiting 13 new
PEOPLE members.
“A lot of members don’t
understand that your union
dues cannot be used in any
federal campaign,” said Cottrell.
“Voluntary contributions through
the PEOPLE program helps us
secure legislation that protects our
jobs and pensions.”
CSEA’s PEOPLE program
protects and improves our
jobs, benefits, and pensions in
Washington, Albany, and in your
community. Your support and
participation in PEOPLE strengthen
CSEA’s clout in the workplace, in
the legislature, in your community,
and in the greater labor movement.
— Nicholas Newcomb
Statewide Secretary
Stacey Baldwin Deyo
Erie County Downtown
Section Recording
Secretary Veronica
Rogers attends the
Assessing the Leader in
You session.
Finger Lakes DDSO 1st
Vice President Catalina
Guzman
14 The Work Force SUNY at Buffalo
Local President
Steve Jeter speaks
during a Blitzing and
Mobilizing session.
April 2026